Nandidroog
Nandidroog, 1908
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Famous fortified hill, 4,851 feet high, in the west of Kolar District, Mysore, situated in 13° 22' N. and 77° 41' E. It is the highest point in the east of the State, and lies at the termination of a range of hills running north to Penukonda and the Bellary District of Madras. On the top is an extensive plateau sloping to the west, in the centre of which is a large hollow con- taining a wood, and a tank called the Amrita-sarovara or ' lake of nectar,' faced on the four sides with stone steps. Except on the west, where it is partially united with the adjoining range, the hill presents a nearly perpendicular rocky face, being in fact an almost insulated monolithic mass of granite. The Palar river has its reputed source at the top, in a well on the east, and the Arkavati in a well on the west. The lower sides of the hill are clothed with forest. From the second to the eleventh century it was the stronghold of the Ganga kings, who were Jains, and bore the title ' Lord of Nanda- giri.' After the Chola conquest at the beginning of the eleventh century the name was changed to Nandigiri, the 'hill of Nandi,' the bull of Siva. The hill was probably first fortified by the Chik- Ballapur chiefs, but the existing extensive works were erected by Haidar All and Tipu Sultan, subsequent to its seizure by the Mara- thas in 1770. A precipitous cliff at the south-west angle is pointed out as ' Tipu's Drop,' being the place over which prisoners are said to have been hurled by the orders of that ruler. The capture of Nandidroog by the British under Lord Cornwallis in 1791 was a memorable feat. During the British occupation of Mysore, the salu- brity of the spot led to its becoming a hot-season resort for European officials from Bangalore. On the site of an old tower or fort at the highest point was erected a large house, which was long the favourite retreat of Sir Mark Cubbon.
